Thanks Bob for all your effort to help nomads. It reallly helps as technology changes to see what new… thank Team CRVL! Hopng for a look at your recent post on 12v AC mini split w/ Carrie vs residential a/c & heater mini split. Thank for all you do!

The Grecell power stations are great and inexpensive. I ran a pizza oven off of mine and it only used 7% of the battery.

@timpangburn5287

11 ай бұрын

How big was the power station?

Not only is this information very useful for all travelers, but for me it’s especially valuable information to have as I try to plan my first trip in an RV that I bought a few months ago. It has an onboard generator, but if I can avoid the gas usage & noise when boondocking, that would be preferable; so a solar set up very much like these would be the perfect answer. Thanks again for your always entertaining, yet no nonsense approach in these recent videos!! You are the best for many reasons & I look for your advice first!

I'm not a van life type of person, but always enjoy your videos, you're well informed and you seem to love what you do!

Thank you very much for helping people see a different way of life. Many of your hints can be incorporated into people’s lives no matter how they live. Many parts of US have weather conditions that cut water & power. Having a generator, water & a go bag is important. I started watching about 7 years ago. You were churning out videos. I’m so happy to see you taking a break & enjoying life. You’ve been an awesome, kind person filled with grace. Twenty years ago is that who you saw in the mirror? Hug Cody & be proud of the Man you are.

Thanks for a good review of both products. Seems like the Grecell would be a better investment long term, but if space and cost is an issue, the AllPowers will work fine.

This video was good timing for me, I was just watching your Bluetti video from 6-minths ago. Thank you Bob 😊👍

Thanks Bob, awesome video. 🙌😊👌👍🍀🍀🍀💞

Thank You Bob.

@CheapRvLiving Team, can you all do a video on Tick prevention & what do if you find one on you? Also, on Mosquitos & Ants. Thank you 😊

I like my 100w allpowers panel. it works really well for the 112 dollars I paid for it. It can easily get near its peak output

I have a Grecell 200 watt Pro foldable solar panel and two Grecell T300 power stations. I can vouch that the products are very good quality and function very well.

Appreciate the review, Bob!!

I personally have 4 - 100 watt foldable All-Powers panels. I probably paid about $180 U.S. each. I'm happy with it.

Thank You, Bob you're my Go to all things van life.❤ I needed advice about solar panels, and Generators ,😉 of course I turned to you. ❤ Hugs to Cody.💕

I just purchased the GRECELL 200W for 286 70 dollar coupon. Thanks

As usual - Thanks for the great honest info Bob! 👍🚙🏞️🌅🌞

I just bought he allpowers on Amazon for $159. I haven’t tried it yet but at hat price if it’s halfway decent I’ll be golden.

This is the sort or video we need more of, it's all very well people unboxing these things and checking they match up to specs when brand new, the end-users want to know if it'll still work a year down the line! Already had the first error on my Ecoflow Wave 2, though the good old "TIOAOA" cleared it... that time.

Bob, FYI, photovoltaic cells are tested at laboratory conditions which are 77°F and 1000 W per square meter of full spectrum light. It’s a flash test so the cells don’t heat up. If it’s 90° out, your solar cells may be sitting at 130° F. they’re definitely not going to put out full power at that temperature. If you look at the specs, it will give you a power temperature coefficient and you can calculate the power you should be getting at a specific temperature. I don’t know about small foldable solar panels, but the larger rigid panels sold in the United States are tested by nationally recognized, testing laboratories, and they are not fudged as you indicated. Any decent quality solar panel sold in the US comes with a 25 or 30 year warranty to output at least 80% of the nameplate power after 25 years. So for the record, the cheap, Chinese, short warranty, modules, you buy, and test may be manufactured by BS artists. They may fudge their numbers, I don’t know. However reputable, rigid frame, poly and monocrystalline, solar manufacturers in the US are all held to the same test procedures. No BS.

Deeply thankful for your free lessons. Always learning from you.

Waterproof is a big factor to me and why I will use traditional panels.

*BIG TIP... WHY DO THEY NOT MAKE 200 WATTS CHARGING POWER STATION?* Power stations are often optimize to accept a very specific volt and amps (watts) from a wall power supply. The pwr stations often give a range of say 14 to 30 volts (as my DBPower does) but there is an optimum for the BATTERY CHARGER BUILT IN. My power station likes 24 volts and 5-6 amps (~120 Watts). Panels under no load make Approx. 18-19 volts. *SO I USE A BOOST CONVERTER TO BOOST TO 24 VOLTS. WHEN USING TWO PANELS IN SERIES (SAY 38 VOLTS) I USE A BUCKING CONVERTER TO BRING VOLTS DOWN BELOW MAX (30 VOLTS) TO 24 VOLTS OPTIMUM FOR MY PWR STATION.* The battery charger in these units are not optimized for solar panels (at least mine is not). They are made for WALL WARTS Pwr supplies. *The difference is remarkable with my power station, accepting more watts from panels with BUCK or BOOST converter vs direct from panels at native volts of panels.* Bucking (down or up) converters are not much money. You will hve to fabricate cables to put in line from panels to Pwr station. Again you can use panels is series or parallel. You are trying to get the volts in to match what the wall charger power supply puts out. Again mine is 24 volts. I find 24-25 volts is about right. This is why same panel on different stations produces different charging Watts. It is the internal Pwr Station charger. They are no great for solar panels and very sensitive to volts.

Thanks for the comparison, Bob. I have two of Grecell's 100 watt solar panels just because they're smaller and I urban camp a lot so it's easy for me to lay them flat on the roof of my car. I also have two of Jackery 100 watt solar panels and my Grecells pull more watts than the Jackery.

@PartyUpLive

9 ай бұрын

I'm also looking at the 100W panels as I will mostly be car camping on road trips and prefer the smaller one.

Wishing i had bought cheaper than jackery 200w panels. Mine are falling apart and barely working after just a few months. I've been careful about rain etc too. I love my 60w all powers I bought to charge fans and phone. It was $70 with a coupon

Thank you for everything you do. Hope all is well Bob. 🙂🙂🙂

Thanks Bob for another great comparison . We all learn a lot from you.

Very informative and appreciated. Gathering ideas and insights. Appreciate you!

Thank you for all of your information. I am saving for my Bluettie that you recommended. Next step: solar panels.

I am amazed by your knowing all this solar stuff..

#Grateful 🙏 love you guys, thank you, #mahalo

I just got my first power station and panel because of Prime Day offer. I went with the Grecell only because after watching in other videos how the Allpower bends a Lot and didn’t like that. Unfortunately haven’t tested out the panel yet as the temps here are reaching over 120degress right now and thought it might be too much heat on it.

Interesting video as always. Just a quick comment. I just purchased a Twelseavan 160 watt foldable solar panel. I set it up and got 152 watts at 11 AM on a sunny day in Flagstaff. I'm very happy.

Thank you for your time I really enjoyed your review

Thanks Bob!!!

Thanks Bob can't wait for your next,,,,, ,,,,,video 😅

Looking for a 200w panel to replace my old, and heavy, 100w Renolegy panel. Thanks for the review 🙋🏼

Awesome information Bob, thank you so much!

Been watching your video's and finding so much great information! I became disabled about two years ago and have gone through my savings. I soon will be living out of my car and have no idea where to start. Only thing making me so nervous about car living is that I need to use a CPAP machine at night and not sure how I can do that or what type of battery will run it all night. Hopefully I can continue to get great information from you and feel more safe about my next move.

Bob that is all true for the Bluetti, but other brands with different brand charge controllers might be different. The charge controller programming is a big variable in the efficiency of using the power these generic panels output.

Good comparison, but really wish you'd taken a wet cloth to them both to see better results. When ik out camping, i give mine a wipe in the morning at the very least, and if its a dusty windy day, again in the afternoon to optimize input

Good review, Bob

i have binged watched all of these videos they are vwry informative

@traceygoble

Жыл бұрын

I wasn't finished with my comment. LOL I have been wanting to live in a tent for as long as I can remember. My only problem is I don't drive otherwise I would have dove right in. I live in central Texas and it's very warm. So I don't have any other options. But to live cheaply would be wonderful. I'm like 4 rent increases from not being able to afford the rent. Anyway these videos are amazing. I can't wait to watch more and be more informed.

@paulatarver-prof

10 ай бұрын

For 2 years I lived part-time in a tent north of Houston. I could manage if I had shade. I have joined an intentional community near Abilene. It is a good way to live if you are committed to being flexible with people and activities contributing to the community. It is a 20-40 minute commute if you need to work to pay your bills.

❤

thank you bob for making these videos. i am all by myself out here traveling. having a ruff time at the moment. my car isnt holding up so well and im on disability. im in need of a different vehicle. and some new friends living this life. if you have any ideas for me hit me back up.

@paulatarver-prof

10 ай бұрын

I would suggest an international community where you can stay and contribute.

Bob, it would be really interesting if you could make a video about the legislation with respect to building camper vans by individuals who want to live in them. In many countries inspection by transit authorities is required, but it seems that in the US there is some flexibility as I see many van-dwellers building vans without mentioning it.

I find it much easier to get a 200W Flexible solar panel that's smaller in area measurement and can just be taped on top of any car that has empty space.

Is there a solar panel with a connection that I can plug into my motor home’s Furrion 2 pin connector? I have not been able to find one. I want to connect a solar panel to my rv and set the panel out in the sun to be able to keep my coach battery charged.

To determine the true maximum power of any panel you see on Amazon or anywhere else take 1,000 watts per square meter which is the maximum sun power that reaches the ground on Earth and divide that by the square meters of the measured panel you're buying. You'll probably have to convert from square inches to square meters but that will give you the maximum 100% efficiency power you could get from that panel but most panels are about 15 to 20% efficient so you then multiply that figure by .15 or .2 and that is the maximum power in Watts that that panel could possibly produce based on its size and assumed efficiency. It's fair to assume an efficiency of 0.2 or 20% these days on most of these panels sold on Amazon now. For older panels especially salvage panels off of big old solar plants which are often a great bargain and come in the big metallic frames you can assume more like about 15% efficiency which is of course why the old solar panels are traded out for newer ones by the giant solar electric plants.

@solarwind907

2 ай бұрын

He’s right in the ballpark with those numbers. If you have NASA‘s budget, you could probably buy solar panels approaching 30% efficiency. That would mean if you had one square meter of Photovoltaic material and you had a bluebird sky, full sun with the suns rays at 90° angle to the surface of the panel, you might get 200 W out of a top quality monocrystalline panel. That would be 20% of the 1000 W per square meter hitting the Earth surface at that moment in time. Also, the cell temperature would need to be 77°F which is not easy to maintain on a sunny summer day. If you can buy a solar panel, brand new and get more than 20% out of it, that’s a damn good panel. Much better than the type Bob buys and tests.

Most cats and dogs choose to sit/lie on things like this because black =warmth.

What's the difference between the regular and pro model of grecell? They don't really explain it.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Will the fit all power stations

Hey Bob, can you give us an update on how the SereneLife SLPAC8 is performing for you? Still happy with the A/C unit?

Can yu run ur airconditioners in the. Van off of um?? Asking cause I don't know anything about them ... trying to learn... Born in the early. 1960's

@solarwind907

2 ай бұрын

I was born in the 50s and electricity and air-conditioning both existed then. You’re not a technical person so your best bet would be to talk directly, in person to a trusted source that is running an air conditioner with the same specifications as your own. Buying solar panels, batteries, inverters, and air conditioners for your off grid home is something you only want to do once. If you can find a dealer that comes highly recommended, meaning, they are knowledgeable and honest, that would be a good way to go. They will not be the cheapest, but they will be worth it in the long run. Best of luck to you.

Id like to meet Bob Wells and j.k. rowling

What do you clean these with?

I have a 500W Jackery and have a 100w solar panel from Harbor Freight. Can I add another 100w panel to this? Also if I have an appliance that needs more than 500w can I just add another 500w to the other one?

Bob...would either of these hold up with this major heat wave that we are having currently in Phoenix Arizona..or would it be way to hot ??? ( We got up to 119)... Please advise... thank you.....very great video very useful...

@solarwind907

2 ай бұрын

Your best bet is to read the manufacture specifications. They should specify an operating temperature range. I seriously doubt any brand name, rigid frame photovoltaic module would have a problem with those temperatures but these foldable fabric things, no idea. Good luck to you.

Your dog probably likes the electromagnetic field that the panels create. It’s not very powerful, so it’s no problem to the dog. Nevertheless, by laying down on it, he is turning that 200W panel into a 100W panel. Just saying. 😎❤️🐕‍🦺

Appreciate your testing of solar panels, u mentioned they had been out in the rain, are c these rated as rain proof or splash resistance. As that was a big selling pt to me in choosing eco powers 400 watt which is waterproof and dust proof i.p 68 rated and the all powers which isn't. But seems that didn't matter in your test which is good to know bc the water proof one is like double the price . Maybe ecopower will send you that one to test, curious to know how much power it puts out in comparison to these two. Also ask ecopower to let u test the wave 2.. I'd love to know that feedback before purchasing. Thx Bob for all you do, I take your honest word on your experiences with products

@serenityjewel

Жыл бұрын

The Grecell 200 watt panel he's showing is waterproof. I don't know if the All Powers is waterproof.

I had no idea that they charge better better in the cold??? Please, someone tell me if I'm understanding it properly!?

@solarwind907

2 ай бұрын

Yes you are. Batteries do not charge faster when they’re cold, just the opposite. Solar panels generate more power, the colder they get. They are tested at 77°F. when the solar cells are above that temperature, they produce less power. Colder than that, more power. That is the nature of a Photovoltaic Solar cell. During the sunny spring time in Fairbanks Alaska, it is not uncommon to gain 10% over nameplate rating on a solar panel. They work really well in outer space as well :-)

Is it better to buy two 200w panels than one 400w panel or is it better to just buy 400w?

@solarwind907

2 ай бұрын

Well, which would be easier to store for you while traveling? Do you have two inputs on your charge controller? Do you have an adapter cord that you can plug two sets in parallel easily? Assume that this will last for years but if you have two, you have some redundancy in case one fails.

If I have multiple panels, should I run them in series or parallel? Which is best? 🤷

@solarwind907

2 ай бұрын

It depends. Get the specifications of the different solar panels you have together. Get the specifications for the solar charge. Controller as well. Go see a solar technician locally that has a reputation for honesty and knowledge. You can also try contacting the solar charge controller manufacturer and see if they will help you. If they try to sell you something different, that could be a red flag. Good luck!

So Bob lives in the van when it's 91? You must have an AC unit in the Vanbulance

@samreh6156

Жыл бұрын

Probably a lot cooler at night. Opening your windows and running a fan should do it.